People Story

Nwabueze named University ombuds officer

Posted September 28, 2011; 10:00 a.m.

by Eric Quiñones

Wokie Nwabueze, who has managed conflict resolution, mediation and ethics issues in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, has been named Princeton University's ombuds officer.

Nwabueze, whose appointment was effective Sept. 26, will provide assistance to campus community members who have concerns, complaints or other issues regarding their work or studies. The ombuds office provides confidential consultations and can help develop solutions to problems through mediation, individual coaching, group facilitation or training, or referrals to other University services.

"Wokie Nwabueze is an outstanding counseling and mediation professional. She has a demonstrated ability to work with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, and she has a profound appreciation for the ethical role of an ombuds officer," said Provost Christopher Eisgruber, to whom Nwabueze will report. "I am confident that this combination of values and skills will make Wokie an ideal ombuds officer for this University, and I am delighted that she has agreed to join us at Princeton."

"I am honored to join Princeton as ombuds officer," Nwabueze said. "Throughout the selection process, I was struck by the level of the University's commitment to equity and the importance of the ombuds role. This is an incredible opportunity, and I look forward to being of service to the entire Princeton community."

Nwabueze comes to Princeton after 10 years with Prudential Financial, where she served for the last four years as vice president for ethics and employee resolution programs. Her duties with Prudential Financial included resolving employment-related concerns through mediation, group facilitation, coaching and other techniques; managing and investigating business ethics allegations; coordinating an external mediation and arbitration program; and leading conflict management workshops and presentations.

Prior to joining Prudential, Nwabueze served as an independent consultant and trainer in alternative dispute resolution techniques, leading workshops for legal organizations, universities and correctional institutions in New York City. She also was a staff developer, trainer and mediator for Effective Alternative in Reconciliation Services, a Bronx-based youth organization.

Nwabueze, who holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and a law degree from Columbia University, also was an associate with the New York law firm Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, and a pro bono fellow and staff attorney with Sanctuary for Families Center for Battered Women's Legal Services in New York.

She succeeds Diedrick (D.A.) Graham, who left the University to lead an independent consulting firm.